In traditional western culture, aren't witches generally considered having consorted with the devil at one point?

That could add an interesting twist. (Not saying that IS where Tats is going, or if he'll pull from that bit of folklore. Basically I'm Wild Mass Guessing here.)_________________"No, but evil is still being --Is having reason-- Being reasonable! Mousie understands? Is always being reason. Is punishing world for not being... Like in head. Is always reason. World should be different, is reason."
-Ed, from Digger

In traditional western culture, aren't witches generally considered having consorted with the devil at one point?

That could add an interesting twist. (Not saying that IS where Tats is going, or if he'll pull from that bit of folklore. Basically I'm Wild Mass Guessing here.)

I think this consorting-with-the-devil thing is a portrayal of witches and their behaviour, by people who want an excuse to burn alleged witches*. I've not particularly asked, but I've not heard of any particular consorting-with-the-devil aspects to Wicca or any other form of witchcraft from acquaintances who've been in to that sort of thing. I think that's just a convenient accusation to make, based on crossover of some imagery, in a Christian community, against someone who believes (or seems to believe) in something else.

but she always defeats her foes and solves her problems in interesting ways

and she hasn't really usurped any of the other characters

plus, you get the feeling that her strengths are things she's earned over the years

Mary Sue's a nasty term to be throwing around like that, yea? Might as well say Dumbledore's a Mary Sue for the first handful of books too, then, and I've never heard anyone say that._________________butts